Angry after he lost $600 in 22 minutes, a former chaplain tried to set Winnipeg's two casinos ablaze.

Fortunately, Doug Porisky proved just as good a fire starter as he was a gambler.

Porisky, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of arson endangering life and mischief. He was sentenced Tuesday to 90 days in jail and 18 months supervised probation.

Court heard Porisky had just lost $600 in short order at Club Regent, Feb. 25, 2012 when he tried without success to set two slot machines and a chair on fire. Porisky set a garbage can on fire but it was quickly extinguished by casino staff. Porisky also caused $6,400 damages to an aquarium and interactive touch screen display, the subject of the mischief charge.

A week later, Porisky was at McPhillips Street Station where he set two bathroom fires, both of which were extinguished, one by security staff, the other by a customer. He also attempted to set fire to a black-jack table and a silk plant, again with no success.

"Mr. Porisky's actions appear to be more a cry for help than a deliberate attempt to burn down the casinos and cause harm to the people within the buildings," Judge Janice LeMaistre said, noting Porisky made no attempt to hide his actions or conceal his identity for security cameras.

Porisky at the time was co-ordinator of spiritual care at Deer Lodge and was previously chaplain at Grace Hospital.

Following his arrest, Porisky started seeing a psychiatrist and was diagnosed with a personality disorder characterized by "self-damaging and impulsive behavior," LeMaistre said. Porisky has spent two years on bail without incident and now attends regular Bettors Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

"There is really nothing more he could have done to achieve rehabilitation," LeMaistre said.

LeMaistre ordered that Porisky not attend casinos during the period of his probation and that he not be allowed to possess lighters, matches or other incendiary materials.

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Former chaplain gets jail time after arson attempts at casinos

Angry after he lost $600 in 22 minutes, a former chaplain tried to set Winnipeg's two casinos ablaze.

Fortunately, Doug Porisky proved just as good a fire starter as he was a gambler.

Porisky, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of arson endangering life and mischief. He was sentenced Tuesday to 90 days in jail and 18 months supervised probation.

Court heard Porisky had just lost $600 in short order at Club Regent, Feb. 25, 2012 when he tried without success to set two slot machines and a chair on fire. Porisky set a garbage can on fire but it was quickly extinguished by casino staff. Porisky also caused $6,400 damages to an aquarium and interactive touch screen display, the subject of the mischief charge.